Penguin Biowheel 200

[ravekiss]

I recently (about 2 weeks ago) purchased a Penguin Biowheel 200 Filter (Marineland) to replace my Aquaclear 50 but I have been experiencing a problem. At times all the water would empty from the filter and it would be making this clicking noise, I guess because its empty. After about a minute the water will be sucked back up and resume flowing as usual. I check to see if any connections were loose or if the vented cover was touching anywhere but it was all ok. This is a brand new filter. Has anyone been experiencing this? Any tips?

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

Have you tried taking it apart (ie - take out the tube and impeller)? If the impeller is not seated correctly, the filter will often not run properly. It sounds like it stops sucking water, so it then drains and then it starts to run again. So perhaps the impeller is only working intermittedly? (not sure I spelled that right!)

 

[jpedersen024]

Your first mistake was replacing your aquaclear with a penguin. I have one of each running, and love my AC a whole big bunch more. The biowheel is an expensive pain in the arse... But this post wasn't about my opinion on that.

I would check to make sure you've got your intake pipe locked firmly in place in the filter compartment. It might cut down on water intake and increase air, like you had described, if it weren't properly in place.

If you continue to have a problem, I would quickly march it right back to the place of purchase to either exchange or refund it. No use carrying on too long if it's not working well.... and you don't want to risk running it dry for any length of time either.

Good luck!

 

[Rafael Dilone]

I also think that Aquaclear is better. Also the reason it makes that sound is probably because it has no water. Since a filter cannot run dry it makes that noise until you put water in the filter. That has happen to me when my filter has no water and it is turn on. So that is probably the problem. Well hope this advice helped you.

 

[Kris]

I had a similiar problem when I first installed my Penguin 200. I found that as I poured water into the filter can, it would just pour right back out of the output with no input to replace it. (hard to explain in words) Either way, I found that it had to do with the actual level of water in my tank - if that makes sense. Once the tank level reached the lip of the output (not over and into it, just right up to it), the biowheel sprung back into life and the flow of water has been constant ever since. If your tank has a lot of movement due to airflow, perhaps this is your issue?

I really like this filter so far, and have heard many positive things by fellow owners as well as the attendent at my TFS which coincidently does not actually sell this model. That's gotta account for something!

Good luck!

 

[Spader]

mine shut off when it sucked up some sand, but i cleaned it and its fine ever since.